PAST PORTS: A look back into the Shamrock Park archives

Portadown Football Club historian Trevor Clydesdale takes a look into the Shamrock Park archives:

“Next weekend before our game with Dungannon Swifts a very special reunion will take place at Shamrock Park.

“In May it will mark the 50th anniversary of Portadown reserves winning the Mid-Ulster Cup during the 1964/65 season.

“I had mentioned this game a few weeks ago in my column and a member of that winning team, John Proctor, got in touch and set the wheels in motion to bring all 11 of those players back together again.

“Wins over Damolly (round one) and Tandragee Rovers (semi-final) took the Ports to the final against Banbridge Town.

“Those were the days when Portadown recruited heavily from the ranks of the town’s Boys’ Brigade companies.

“Banbridge had not won the trophy since 1959 and they were keen to get their hands on it once more.

“The match took place at Mourneview Park and by half-time it looked as if Banbridge were going to succeed in their quest to lift the cup, as they led 2-0.

“On 62 minutes, however, Vic Fleming set-up Brian Morrison to pull a goal back for the Ports.

“Morrison was playing at left-half but he would go on to establish himself as one of the Irish League’s top strikers.

“Portadown put all their efforts into getting an equaliser and with eight minutes remaining they were rewarded.

“Dennis Freeburn floated a cross into the box which was met by centre-forward Brendan Loughran and his header beat the Town keeper to level the game and take it to extra-time.

“Syd Cully popped up to score the winner for Portadown and take the trophy back to Shamrock Park for the second time in three years.

“Captain Roy Alexander lifted the trophy and, amidst the celebrations, he was on his way back to the away dressing room at Mourneview Park before his team-mates reminded him they were in the home end!”